“Christian spiritual formation is focused entirely on Jesus, the Spirit-driven process of forming the inner world of the human self that it becomes like the inner being of Christ himself.

“Its goal is an obedience or conformity to Christ that arises out of an inner transformation accomplished through purposive interaction with the grace of God in Christ.

“External manifestation of “Christlikeness” is not, however, the focus of the process; and when it is made the main emphasis, the process will certainly be defeated, falling into deadening legalisms and pointless narrow-mindedness.”

—Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart

…

Until recently, I thought of “spiritual formation” as just another word for spiritual disciplines, which, as usually prescribed, has not worked for me.

But reading Robert Mulholland's work* has made a big impression on me, as if he knows my inner struggles and self-protection. After years of performing outwardly, I feel like I’ve been probed yet made hungry for wholeness and authenticity.

Join me as I share my journey of trying to let go of asserting control over my spiritual life as I seek to be formed by God into the likeness of Christ and love others from the heart.

* Invitation to a Journey; The Deeper Journey

I noticed that the Formatio publishing group uses the chambered nautilus to symbolize spiritual formation because of its continual spiral journey outward as it moves from its center.